The 2024 Gotcha! Photo Contest drew dozens of submissions from Alberta teachers. Here are the judges’ top-three picks along with some honourable mentions.
Prizes awarded:
First $200
Second $100
Third $50
Contest judges:
Bianca Ho, ATA graphic designer
Cory Hare, ATA News managing editor
FIRST PLACE | SUNNY SNOWSHOE
Grade 7 outdoor education students engage in a snowshoeing adventure at Hogarth Lakes in Kananaskis country.
Photographer: Court Rustemeyer, Vincent Massey School, Calgary
Date of photo: Jan. 18, 2024
Judges’ comments: A brilliant blue sky balances the shadows that stretch towards the foreground, and the snowshoe tracks lead directly to the viewer. This creates an engaging composition that creates interest in the subjects’ activities.
SECOND PLACE | FOREST EXPLORER
Exploring the forest on Orange Shirt Day.
Photographer: Amanda Kiat, Glendale Sciences and Technology School, Red Deer
Date of photo: Sept. 28, 2023
Judges’ comments: This playful portrait is all about the cheeky facial expression. It’s also helped by effective background blurring and compositional lines that draw the eye to the subject. It has just the right amount of symmetry and asymmetry in the pose and framing of the subject by the trees.
THIRD PLACE | DAYBREAK
A striking sunrise greets teachers as they arrive to begin one of the last school days before Christmas break.
Photographer: Jocelyne Hunt, Holy Spirit Academy, High River
Date of photo: Dec. 20, 2023
Judges’ comments: An image with striking impact is the result of a lovely dynamic sunrise contrasted against the quietness of the overall image — warm and cool colours producing a harmonized, balanced palette. The cherry on top is the solitary vehicle with its brake lights on — just a hint of human presence.
HONOURABLE MENTION | FORCED PERSPECTIVE
Students appear to be riding in a trailer pulled by a toy tractor driven by Scorch, their school’s mascot.
Photographer: Mark Knoch, Eastglen High School, Edmonton
Date of photo: Oct. 11, 2023
Judges’ comments: This photo is clever and fun. The forced perspective is well-executed and the students are also acting their parts. The engagement of the students brings a smile!
HONOURABLE MENTION | ON THE BALL
Grade 11 student Charlie Cooper concentrates on the ball during junior girls volleyball action.
Photographer: Christopher Fensky, École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School, Beaumont
Date of photo: Oct. 3, 2023
Judges’ comments: The photograph perfectly captures action and anticipation. The depth of field is executed well – the main subject is in focus, the general expressions of the other players are captured, and the observers on the bleachers add context without detracting from the moment.
HONOURABLE MENTION | ACTIVE RECESS
Grade 4 students Ata Sen, Kellan McCannell and Ali Aljouma work on their soccer skills during recess.
Photographer: Kira James, Lauderdale School, Edmonton
Date of photo: May 15, 2024
Judges’ comments: This photo draws its strength from fundamentals such as triangulation, clean composition and freezing a moving target. The ball and subjects lead the eye around the composition in an engaging way. There is action, tension and focus!
HONOURABLE MENTION | LIGHT AND SHADOW
A Grade 4 student creates a shadow puppet play as part of a light and shadow science unit.
Photographer: Vanessa Goerzen, Chaparral School, Calgary
Date of photo: Nov. 30, 2023
Judges’ comments: The glow and magic of play is captured in this moment through light and shadow, producing a photo that is visually interesting while also conveying an air of mystery.
